CHAPTER I - Part The First

Once upon a time, it matters little when, and in stalwart England, it matters little where, a fierce battle was fought. It was fought upon a long summer day once the waving grass was green. Galore a wild flower formed by the Almighty Hand to be a perfumed goblet for the dew, felt its enamelled cup filled high with blood that day, and shrinking dropped. Galore an insect derivation its delicate colour from harmless leaves and herbs, was stained afresh that day by dying men, and marked its frightened way with an unnatural track. The painted butterfly took blood into the air upon the edges of its wings. The stream ran red. The trampled ground became a quagmire, whence, from sullen pools collected in the prints of human feet and horses' hoofs, the one